studies

HEPATOLOGY, VOLUME 62, NUMBER 1 (SUPPL) AASLD ABSTRACTS 813A
1219
Reporting Physical Function in UNOS: The Weakness of
the Karnofsky Performance Status Scale
Connie W. Wang, John P. Roberts, Jennifer C. Lai; University of
California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Background: Currently, physical function (fxn) is reported in
UNOS using the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale,
which ranges from 0-100% as determined by the liver transplant
(LT) team. Given its subjective nature, we aimed to evaluate
factors influencing the KPS score in the UNOS registry.
Methods: Included were all adult LT recipients from 9/08-
9/13. Physical fxn was categorized as low (0-20%), medium
(30-70%), or high (80-100%) on the KPS. Cox models assessed
the relationship between KPS and post-LT mortality, ordinal
logistic models the relationship between KPS with patient (pt)/
center (ctr)-level factors. Results: Of 25,632 LT pts, 21%, 56%
and 23% had low, medium, and high physical fxn at LT. Low,
medium, and high physical fxn-ing pts differed by: %female
(41 vs. 33 vs. 26%), %hospitalized in ICU (54 vs. 4 vs. 1%),
median lab MELD (35 vs. 20 vs. 15), and median Child score
(12 vs. 10 vs. 8) [p